what's involved in a stress test??

At my last appointment, I was told that I would have to start coming twice a week until my delivery for stress tests, but I have no idea what that entails.. it also kinda sucks because I go for my regular check ups every 2 weeks right now, and will soon do that every week, which means next week I have to go 3 different days, and unless my Dr is available on the same day & close to the same times as the stress tests, the 3 times a week thing will continue. That's going to KILL me on gas because I live an hour away! I just gotta keep reminding myself that it's worth it, and I only have about 7 more weeks to go..

A stress test is where they hook you up to a fetal monitor and monitor the baby's heart rate and contractions you may be having. They may also have you do a kick or movement count of the baby's movements during that time. When I had mine with my last pregnancy they were typically an hour.

It's called a non-stress test. You'll lay in a hospital bed with two straps around your belly. One will have a contraction monitor on it and the other a heart rate monitor, and a machine will print out a reading of any contractions and how the baby's heart rate is responding to the contractions. They usually last an hour and are kind of boring so bring a book.

I will be starting these tests as well tomorrow. Every Tues. I have to go for the Non-Stress test and every Friday I will have the Non-Stress test and an Ultrasound. OP, did your Dr. give you any reason as to why they are sending you for these tests? The only reason I was given was because of my age, I'm 38...

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